The Address

Ken Burns’s documentary "The Address" follows the students of the Greenwood School as they uncover the meaning behind President Lincoln’s words at Gettysburg. Explore the history of the Civil War and the significance of the famous speech in the collection below, featuring an overview of the war, videos of celebrity recitations, and a lesson plan to encourage student involvement. Classrooms can now feel closer than ever to this historic moment.

Ken Burns's documentary, The Address follows the students of the Greenwood School as they uncover the meaning behind President Lincoln’s speech at Gettysburg. This webinar gives you the opportunity to hear from Stewart Miller, the Headmaster of the Greenwood School, and Greg Timmons, the curriculum expert behind the resources that accompany the film. Hear how Stewart was able to capture and foster his students’ curiosity about Lincoln’s celebrated words and discover the rich collection of materials that Greg developed to help you engage your own students. This webinar was recorded on April 14, 2014.

This lesson presents activities that help students gain a deeper understanding of the rich concepts and meaning behind the Gettysburg Address and its historical significance. Because of this, it addresses many of the Common Core standards of literacy in history and social studies.

In this short history of the Civil War, we're exposed to the months leading up to November 1863, when Abraham Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address. This synopsis paints a gritty picture of the war, and of Lincoln's inspiring words that redefined the Union's fight as a battle for human equality.

A clip from The Address, a 90-minute, feature-length documentary on an extraordinary school and its efforts to memorialize the Gettysburg Address. The film interweaves a contemporary story with the history, context, and importance of the Address. Originally aired on April 15, 2014.

Watch Stephen Colbert recite the Gettysburg Address as part of Ken Burns' challenge to all Americans to Learn the Address.

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address, documentarian Ken Burns, along with numerous partners, has launched a national effort to encourage everyone in America to video record themselves reading or reciting the speech. The collection of recordings housed on this site will continue to grow as more and more people are inspired by the power of history and take the challenge to Learn the Address.

Watch Randi Weingarten recite the Gettysburg Address as part of Ken Burns' challenge to all Americans to Learn the Address.

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address, documentarian Ken Burns, along with numerous partners, has launched a national effort to encourage everyone in America to video record themselves reading or reciting the speech. The collection of recordings housed on this site will continue to grow as more and more people are inspired by the power of history and take the challenge to Learn the Address.

Watch Ken Burns recite the Gettysburg Address as part of his challenge to all Americans to Learn the Address.

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address, documentarian Ken Burns, along with numerous partners, has launched a national effort to encourage everyone in America to video record themselves reading or reciting the speech. The collection of recordings housed on this site will continue to grow as more and more people are inspired by the power of history and take the challenge to Learn the Address.

Watch Gabby Giffords and friends recite the Gettysburg Address as part of Ken Burns' challenge to all Americans to Learn the Address.

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address, documentarian Ken Burns, along with numerous partners, has launched a national effort to encourage everyone in America to video record themselves reading or reciting the speech. The collection of recordings housed on this site will continue to grow as more and more people are inspired by the power of history and take the challenge to Learn the Address.

Watch Bill Gates recite the Gettysburg Address as part of Ken Burns' challenge to all Americans to Learn the Address. To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address, documentarian Ken Burns, along with numerous partners, has launched a national effort to encourage everyone in America to video record themselves reading or reciting the speech. The collection of recordings housed on this site will continue to grow as more and more people are inspired by the power of history and take the challenge to Learn the Address.

Watch Joan Ganz Cooney, Elmo, and Murray recite the Gettysburg Address as part of Ken Burns' challenge to all Americans to Learn the Address.

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address, documentarian Ken Burns, along with numerous partners, has launched a national effort to encourage everyone in America to video record themselves reading or reciting the speech. The collection of recordings housed on this site will continue to grow as more and more people are inspired by the power of history and take the challenge to Learn the Address.

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address, documentarian Ken Burns, along with numerous partners, has launched a national effort to encourage everyone in America to video record themselves reading or reciting the speech. The collection of recordings housed on this site will continue to grow as more and more people are inspired by the power of history and take the challenge to Learn The Address. Here are some tips for helping students, in school or at home, memorize the Address.

Watch President Barack Obama, Taylor Swift, Nancy Pelosi, Stephen Spielberg and more recite the Gettysburg Address as part of Ken Burns' challenge to all Americans to Learn the Address.

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address, documentarian Ken Burns, along with numerous partners, has launched a national effort to encourage everyone in America to video record themselves reading or reciting the speech. The collection of recordings housed on this site will continue to grow as more and more people are inspired by the power of history and take the challenge to Learn the Address.